Times Spent Outdoors: Priceless!

Articles from the December 1, 2023 edition


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  • On The Cover December 2023

    Carol L Allen

    It's the season of giving. We have had suggestions for boaters, hunters, outdoor enthusiasts overall, and veterans. But, what about the other members of our "extended family" - our wonderful wildlife? Of course they cannot let us know what they need, but I think with some guidance from organizations such as the Arizona Game & Fish Department, Conservation First USA, and multiple other species-specific support groups, we can embrace some great gift ideas for our wildlife. Three examples come to... Full story

  • Carol L Allen, Editor

    CAME CHRISTMAS During the night — velvet, dark and quiet, Beyond the river — silver, soft and deep, Above the trees — standing still and silent, In the sky — hushed and asleep, APPEARED A STAR. With a promise — bright and shining, For a world wrapped in fear, Into a moment shot with silver, To a place so far, yet near, CAME CHRISTMAS. Happy Holidays, Merry Christmas, and a Happy New Year to all! –by Carol L. Allen...  Website

  • Lighted-Boat Parades

    Carol L Allen, Editor|Dec 1, 2023

    Lake Havasu State Park Saturday, Dec. 9, 2023 4 p.m. Bring your blankets and lawn chairs, because Lake Havasu State Park will again be offering free admission to the Windsor 4 event area for the Holiday Boat Parade of Lights! The entrance gate from Paseo Del Sol will be open for free admission at 4 p.m. on Saturday, December 9. Restrooms will be open for public use, and a limited number of picnic tables will be placed along the shoreline and available on a first-come, first-served basis. Propane... Full story

  • Buying Or Selling A Gun Online?

    John Anderson, Shooting Sports Editor|Dec 1, 2023

    Most of the time if I want to trade a gun in on a new one I just take it to Legendary Guns and those guys are great – I'm always happy with the trade and it's just plain fun to chew the fat with those guys. But recently I was in the market for a side-by-side shotgun – a kind of once in a lifetime purchase, and I wanted to trade in some other shotguns for it. Since Legendary didn't have the gun I wanted, I decided to see if I could do the deal online. Here's what happened. Trading Or Selling A G... Full story

  • Take A Hike

    AZBW|Dec 1, 2023

    Local birders and fitness fans love Tempe's "A" Mountain for its scenic trail past wildflowers and desert shrubs, plus the sweeping vistas from the summit. Experiencing it yourself is incredibly easy; you can access its trailhead at the northern end of downtown Tempe. The steep out-and-back trail is under a mile, with a big payoff at the top: panoramic views of the city, including Papago Park, Arizona State University, Tempe Town Lake and other landmarks. Time your short trek for sunset to... Full story

  • The Real Winner Is Arizona's Wildlife

    AZGFD|Dec 1, 2023

    Conservation First USA launched its 2024 raffle where seven lucky individuals will win one of seven special big-game tags (bighorn sheep, elk, mule deer, white-tailed deer, pronghorn, bison and turkey) for the 2024–25 hunting season. Buy Tickets Today! The real winner is Arizona's wildlife. Every dollar raised for each species through the raffle is returned to the Arizona Game and Fish Department and managed by the Arizona Habitat Partnership Committee. With input from local habitat partners a... Full story

  • AZGFD Announces Winners Of 2023 Wildlife Photo Contest

    AZGFD|Dec 1, 2023

    The Arizona Game and Fish Department (AZGFD) has announced the winners of the 2023 wildlife photo contest. The 12 winning photographs are included in the full-size 2024 wildlife calendar that is published in the November-December 2023 issue of Arizona Wildlife Views magazine. AZGFD currently has a subscription special for Arizona Wildlife Views. A one-year subscription to the bi-monthly magazine ordered by Dec. 31, 2023, will include the wildlife calendar and a bonus issue (seven issues total)... Full story

  • Chronic Wasting Disease

    AZGFD|Dec 1, 2023

    Arizona's deer and elk populations remain CWD-free due to surveillance efforts. The Arizona Game and Fish Department (AZGFD) is asking hunters to continue doing their part to help keep Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) at bay. CWD is a fatal wildlife disease that affects the nervous system of deer and elk. All successful deer and elk hunters are encouraged to bring the head of their harvested animal - especially bucks and bulls - to any department office statewide between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday... Full story

  • Buying A Gift For A Boater?

    Ed Huntsman, Boating Co-Editor|Dec 1, 2023

    You are in luck! There is never a challenge when shopping for a gift for the boater(s) in your life. Whether your recipient sails, operates a powerboat, PWC, enjoys paddle-sports on a Stand-up paddle board, in a canoe or a kayak, chances are they are always in need of something that will enhance their day, safety or activity. Some Ideas If they’re not dropping any hints for you and you’re not comfortable asking them what they’d like, you might give their watercraft and equipment / gear a look... Full story

  • Two Amazingly Portable Kayaks

    Margie Anderson, Outdoors Editor|Dec 1, 2023

    The Isle Switch Aren't all kayaks portable? Well, yes, but not all of them fit into a backpack, pump and all, with the whole package weighing just 19 pounds! The Isle Switch is the ideal kayak/paddle board for fishermen, especially fishermen who travel or who like to fish small waters that are hard to get to. One of the features of this kayak is the flat deck – you sit on a chair that is raised from the deck and there is plenty of room and plenty of straps for your gear -- and they've e... Full story

  • Hunters Get Second Shot At Doves

    AZGFD|Dec 1, 2023

    When it comes to experiencing some of the finest wing-shooting that Arizona has to offer, the "second" dove season - which opens Friday, Nov. 17 - is not to be missed. While the bigger white-winged doves, prized during the traditional 15-day season in September, have long since migrated to Mexico, the more acrobatic mourning doves remain abundant and widespread. The second season is a longer one, lasting 45 days and running through Dec. 31, 2023. There still is a 15-bird daily bag limit, all of... Full story

  • Fishing Tips And Upcoming Events

    AZGFD, Chase Newlon, AZGFD R3 Coordinator|Dec 1, 2023

    Now that the weather is cooler, the fishing is starting to heat up! It's that time of year when cold water fishing really starts to take off, so make sure you have your gear in order. Whether you are new to fishing or are a seasoned angler, here are a few tips to make sure your gear is ready for the fall. If you are new to fishing and are looking for a rod and reel for cold water fishing, I would recommend a 7-foot, medium-power, fast-action spinning rod with a 2500-size spinning reel. This rod... Full story

  • How To 'Bee' A Friend To Pollinators

    Margie Anderson, Outdoors Editor|Dec 1, 2023

    You most likely already know that bees around the world are in trouble, but they aren't the only pollinators – butterflies, bats, ants, hoverflies, wasps, mosquitos (yes!), beetles, hummingbirds, and even slugs are pollinators, and almost all of them have had their numbers decrease over the last few decades. In fact, they are down to 20% of what they used to be. Think about it. If you've been an Arizonan for long, you probably remember driving down the highway through desert and getting the wind... Full story

  • VFW National Home

    WOOT, Western Outdoor Other Times|Dec 1, 2023

    The Mission "The VFW National Home assists military, veterans, and their families with children, by creating a foundation of services and resources to achieve their personal and family goals in order to move forward in a positive, safe and healthy environment." About Us Born from the belief that America needs to care for the children and families of men and women who sacrificed for our country, the VFW National Home is a place of healing, support and refuge. It was founded in 1925 as a place... Full story

  • Have A Havasu Holiday

    Go Lake Havasu|Dec 1, 2023

    As thousands of visitors and locals plan their holiday getaways, Go Lake Havasu, the tourism board for Lake Havasu City, turned to the Director of Fun at London Bridge Resort for her favorite holiday traditions. That's the actual title of Joelle Dickinson – as her business card can attest – an Illinois native who has lived in the city for ten years, working for the past seven at the resort. Dickinson previously ran the Toy Story ride and birthday parties at Walt Disney World in Orlando, so thi... Full story

  • Two Wheels Can Take You 217 Miles

    AZBW, Tempe Tourism Office|Dec 1, 2023

    Here's an indication of how big biking is in Tempe: The city measures only 40 square miles, but is home to 217 miles of bike paths-ranging from Sonoran Desert trails to bike lanes on city streets. This connectivity earned Tempe a Gold Level Bicycle Friendly Community designation from the League of American Bicyclists, and it also makes sightseeing on two wheels both easy and safe. There are trails through the red butte formations in Papago Park, near Tempe Town Lake and throughout the city's... Full story

  • Hunt Recommendations Available For Review

    AZGFD|Dec 1, 2023

    Included are pronghorn, elk, and fall and spring turkey for 2024-2025. The Arizona Game and Fish Department's proposed recommendations for 2024 pronghorn, elk, fall turkey, population management hunts, and limited entry seasons, as well as for 2025 spring turkey hunts, are available for review at www.azgfd.com/hunting/regulations/hunt-guidelines-process/. The hunt structures and recommendations were formulated based on the hunt guidelines approved by the Arizona Game and Fish Commission. All... Full story

  • Big Game Tracking Collars

    AZGFD|Dec 1, 2023

    Wildlife management relies on valuable data. The Arizona Game and Fish Department is encouraging hunters who harvest a big game animal affixed with a GPS or VHF tracking collar to return that collar undamaged to any department office statewide. While harvesting a collared animal is legal, Game and Fish asks hunters to refrain from cutting, damaging or otherwise destroying any portion of a collar. A collar easily can be removed from a harvested animal's neck by loosening two nuts on the black... Full story

  • Elk Attack In Hualapai Mountains

    AZGFD|Dec 1, 2023

    Feeding of wildlife suspected of contributing to the attack. A woman died eight days after being hospitalized as the result of an apparent elk attack on her property in the Pine Lake community in the Hualapai Mountains, about 15 miles southeast of Kingman. The attack occurred on a late October afternoon while the woman’s husband was in Kingman. According to the husband, when he returned, he found his wife on the ground in the backyard with injuries consistent with being trampled by an elk. He al... Full story

  • Mexican Wolf Update 2023

    AZGFD|Dec 1, 2023

    A binational captive breeding program was initiated to save the Mexican wolf from extinction. This year marks the 25th anniversary of the reintroduction of Mexican wolves to the wild in the U.S. Once occurring throughout parts of the southwestern U.S. and Mexico, the Mexican wolf had all but disappeared by 1970. In 1976, this gray wolf subspecies was listed as endangered, and a binational captive breeding program was initiated to save it from extinction. In 1998, the U.S Fish and Wildlife... Full story